Answers and Questions.pdf

608-24-901 Asbestos Baseline Survey

Walkthrough RFI Questions and Answers

1. Are you requesting a campus-wide Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) sampling survey to test if building materials contain asbestos. If so, then why is there a request for a non-destructive Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act Survey to assess the conditions and locations of presumed ACM present using the AHERA classification system?

Answer: The objective of the survey is to end the project with a comprehensive report, detailing in high precision the confirmed positive and confirmed negative ACM samples.

The facility would like to ensure that all readily accessible materials that may be encountered by building occupants, housekeeping, maintenance sta , and contractors, be sampled without destroying the integrity of the building systems. Materials will be sampled in a manner su icient to determine whether these materials are Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) or non-ACM. Building samples shall be collected by an accredited inspector for each homogeneous area of friable miscellaneous material. If collecting a sample would destroy the integrity of the building system or cause significant destruction to building surfaces or materials (e.g. result in holes in walls, etc.), contractor may, with COR concurrence, include said material in the report as presumed ACM (PACM).

2. How much access will our inspectors be given in each building? Are there areas we do not have access to? If we want to complete as much sampling as possible each day, it would be nice to know what areas we would have access to.

Answer: Inspectors will be given nearly-full access to the buildings and will not regularly require an escort. COR will provide access/escort as necessary, and will support in coordinating between contractor, VA sta , patients, throughout the entire project. For rooms that support patient care, access will need to be coordinated either when patients are not using the space, or if this is not possible, access will need to be outside of normal operating hours.

3. Will we need to be escorted by VA sta ? Are there situations requiring us to perform a sampling survey on the weekend or at night?

Answer: See answer to question 2.

4. Is it acceptable to mark out PDF versions of the building floor plans instead of CAD drawings?

Answer: As long as all necessary sampling details are included in one complete, singular submission, PDF is an acceptable submission file-type.

5. My company does not have ladders; will we be required to purchase one and find a means of transporting it there?

Answer: VA will not provide ladders but can provide a location to store ladders and other sampling equipment, if requested.

6. The VAMC requests a fixed lump sum cost for the entire survey. This is an enormous project involving hundreds of asbestos samples across eight buildings. Can I submit a lump sum cost for each of the eight buildings? This approach outlines the cost for each building. If the VAMC decides not to conduct the survey in certain buildings, it can refer to the individual lump sum costs to determine which buildings to include.

Answer: While breaking out a per-building sum would undoubtedly be helpful in reviewing the fee proposal and wouldn’t detract from the value of the bid, a single lump-sum is, ultimately, required.

7. The survey shall include accessible areas of all site buildings (including but not limited to behind/through access hatches, inside accessible drop-ceiling spaces and crawlspaces, etc.) and, if present, suspect materials on the exterior of buildings. Are we required to use an enclosure (HEPA Cart) to access the above ceiling areas? If so, who will provide the equipment?

Answer: Given proper coordination by COR, a HEPA cart should not be required. If more stringent infection-control is required in certain spaces, as determined by the to-be-developed PCRA/ICRA plan, COR will work with contractor to coordinate more strict work practices.

8. The Contractor shall notify the COR prior to sampling, especially in occupied areas. Who will escort the inspectors through occupied areas with keys for access to locked spaces?

Answer: See answer to question 2.

9. The Contractor shall restore visible sample locations to a condition as close to original as possible. A site visit will need to be conducted to determine to what extent (if at all) if this is possible. Will we have a site walkthrough prior to submitting a proposal?

Answer: A site visit was held on Friday 30 May 2025. Further, VA understands that visual assessments and bulk sampling techniques are, by their very nature, visually-disruptive to the space. COR and contractor will coordinate to, however possible, minimize impacts and destruction to spaces.

10. The Contractor shall encapsulate all locations to prevent any subsequent release of asbestos fibers after sample collection. What type of encapsulant and on what surfaces?

Most Misc surfaces are non-friable and encapsulant isn’t required.

Answer: If encapsulation is not required, per regulatory requirements, then disregard this statement. If encapsulation is indeed necessary to return the space to a safe-state (e.x. for a friable release, damaged ACM, etc.), contractor will submit encapsulant product, and COR and contractor will coordinate further to ensure that each space is returned to a safe condition and that no threat or hazard remains.

11. Except where it is documented that areas are free of ACM, such as in new construction or areas that have been totally renovated, all accessible building interiors and exteriors shall be visually inspected to identify all friable and non-friable ACM, suspect ACM, and presumed ACM. The COR will provide historical abatement records; Contractor to incorporate this data into final deliverable such that it provides a comprehensive report for all ACM and non-ACM. Will we be provided with these documents prior to proposal submittal?

Answer: The objective of this project is to end with a comprehensive report that allows VA personnel and contractors a high degree of confidence for what ACM exists, at the time of this project, in these buildings. As such, contrary to the SOW section quoted, above, contractor’s bid will include sampling of all suspect building materials in all accessible spaces of the listed buildings (i.e. not in confined spaces), except those expressly having been successfully abated. Recently abated spaces (i.e. spaces excluded from this survey) are noted on the attached floorplans, indicated by a green hatched pattern. Additionally, the following items are excluded from this survey as they have been recently abated:

Building 1 OR suite windows (i.e. interior caulking and glazing), and Building 7 (overhead doors, and all windows and doors on the east elevation).

12. Will a detailed campus map clearly identifying the building within scope be provided prior to submitting a proposal?

Answer: Floor plans are attached.

13. Smyth Tower (Historic), do we have any historic preservation requirements?

Answer: For the purposes of this project, there are no relevant historical preservation requirements for Smyth Tower.

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UPDATED JANUARY 2nd, 2015

VA MEDICAL CENTER

718 SMYTH ROAD

MANCHESTER NH 03104

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Building 15